GODLY WISDOM SAYS “I WAS THERE”--PROVERBS 8:12-36

GODLY WISDOM SAYS “I WAS THERE”
PROVERBS 8:12-36

Proverbs 8:27, “When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:”

Introduction:

“I was There” Medal - After a certain famous battle, Napoleon once gave all his soldiers a simple medal. It was inscribed with the name of the battlefield and the words, “I was there.” Everyone, regardless of rank, got the same recognition. Money could not buy from these veterans the memorial that honored them for their participation in that great battle.

Faithful Believers have that same medal – “I was there.” They were there to see God’s blessings on that one that trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. They were there to see His blessings on that family who served the Lord faithful in His Church. They were there in good times and bad, in the times of trial and in those of victory.

I. THE MEDAL OF FAITHFULNESS

A. The Lord’s faithfulness, Psalm 89:5-6, “And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. 6- For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?”

1. It is good to give thanks for God’s faithfulness, Psalm 92:1-2, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2- To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,”

2. His faithfulness is to all generations, Psalm 119:90, “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

3. The Lord’s faithfulness to His Word, Isaiah 25:1, “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

B. The Servant’s faithfulness, Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

1. Small things make a great difference, Matthew 25:21, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

2. Faithfulness in the apparently insignificant things, Mark 12:41-44, “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42- And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43- And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44- For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

3. The faithfulness of doing what you can, Mark 14:8-9,“She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

II. THE MEDAL OF OBEDIENCE

A. It is better to obey than to sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

1. Be ready to hear the Lord, Ecclesiastes 5:1, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.”

2. Be ready to obey His voice, Jeremiah 7:23, “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”

B. To obey the Lord is to be happy, Psalm 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

III. THE MEDAL OF SERVICE

A. Examples of faithful servants:

2. Moses was a faithful servant, Hebrews 3:5, And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;”

3. David was a faithful servant, Acts 13:22, “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

4. The Apostle Paul was a faithful servant, Romans 1:1, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”

B. Our service to the Lord:

1. As stewards, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2- Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

2. Faithful followers, John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

3. Faithful servants for Jesus’ sake, 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

CONCLUSION

The Medal of Honor is given to those who serve their country well in the Armed Services. Many have won that honor over the years. There are rewards for faithful and honorable service to the Lord as well.

Our desire should be as Paul admonishes us in Colossians 3:1, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” There is our Medal of Honor.